Liverpool have reportedly named their asking price for struggling attacker Federico Chiesa, who is being strongly linked with a return to Serie A in the summer window.
The Reds appeared to have pulled off one of the bargains of the summer when they signed the Euro 2020 winner from Juventus for just £12.5m, including a £10m upfront fee and just £2.5m in add-ons.
However, Chiesa has endured a forgettable first season in English football, making just 12 appearances in all competitions for Arne Slot's side and contributing two goals and two assists.
The 27-year-old is still waiting to make his first start in the Premier League and only has 33 top-flight minutes to his name this season, thanks both to injuries and the stunning form of Mohamed Salah.
Chiesa penned a four-year deal upon his arrival at Anfield, but the Italy international has already been tipped to return to his homeland, and his situation will seemingly not improve next season after Salah signed a two-year contract extension to stay at the club until 2027.
Liverpool 'want at least £21.7m' to sell Chiesa
© Imago
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool have now laid out their demands for a summer transfer and will look for fees between €25m (£21.7m) and €30m (£26.1m) to sanction Chiesa's exit this summer.
AC Milan are supposedly at the head of the queue, while Napoli were also tipped to make a move in January, but Antonio Conte's side now appear to have cooled their interest.
The report adds that three unnamed Premier League clubs are also keeping close tabs on the situation, and while Chiesa chose to stay put and fight for his place in January, he may now seek out opportunities elsewhere.
The 27-year-old was an unused substitute in Sunday's 2-1 victory over West Ham United, prior to which he was given just eight minutes off the bench in Liverpool's 3-2 loss to Fulham last weekend.
However, Chiesa will likely end the season with a Premier League title to his name given that Liverpool are now 13 points clear of Arsenal at the summit of the top-flight table with just six games remaining.
The 27-year-old has only made four substitute appearances for the Reds in the Premier League this season, but players just have to feature in five top-flight games to collect a winners' medal.
Could Chiesa be part of Liverpool attacking exodus?
© Imago
Do not be surprised if Chiesa is one of a handful of Liverpool attackers to head for the exit door this summer, as only Salah and Cody Gakpo - to a degree - have really proven their worth to Slot this season.
Darwin Nunez has now had three years to adapt to English football but is still flattering to deceive up front, so Liverpool will likely accept reasonable offers for the Uruguayan, who was blocked from joining the Saudi Pro League over the summer.
Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have also struggled for consistency in the final third, and Liverpool could have to make a significant sale to raise funds for a new number nine ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Ben Knapton
